Player Discussion Jesperi Kotkaniemi (Part 12)

[DangerDave]

I honestly have no problems how he was used last night. He's weak on his skates right now and gets pushed over and loses the puck fairly easily, but you can see the potential that he has, as a big, patient center with excellent vision. I understand the desire to see him more, especially on the pp, but he does have a tendency to get stripped of the puck in the offensive zone.

But when games are well in hand, like last night and the game against STL, he does see PP time. Coach is developing him just fine, the pp time will come as he gains more control of his gangly body.

Those of you that would rather see him "develop" quicker at the expense of the team need to get a grip. The kids going to need time.

Last night was much better. He gets deployed in the offensive zone and gets decent ES minutes. The issue is that he needs more PP time

 

[ECWHSWI]

first rounders Kakko and Hugues are playing 15+ minutes a night, even Heinola (D) plays 19 minutes a night...

 

[gillyguzzler]

As has been noted here countless times, he needs to improve his skating but especially his balance. It's absolutely unbelievable how many times he falls and gets up. I'd guess 20-30 times a game. It would be interesting to count. Once he gets stronger, it'll help a lot. He's got a good example in winning board battles by watching his linemate Armia.

 

[Lorty]

Is it a skating issue, or a conditioning issue?

Bad conditioning/cardio will make you weak on your skates. Muscles fatigue will make him lose his balance quite easily in the middle of a shift.

Remember, he bulked this summer, a lot. Perhaps he bulked too fast? I have no idea.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

As has been noted here countless times, he needs to improve his skating but especially his balance. It's absolutely unbelievable how many times he falls and gets up. I'd guess 20-30 times a game. It would be interesting to count. Once he gets stronger, it'll help a lot. He's got a good example in winning board battles by watching his linemate Armia.

I play a drinking game where I take a shot every time KK is on his ass. I’m usually smashed by the 2nd intermission.

 

[Frank Drebin]

every Habs draftees seems to need time.

I'm telling you - he is a gangly 19 year old kid who doesn't look to have full control over his body on the ice. Yes of course he needs time. You will have to be patient. He is not being ruined.

 

[ECWHSWI]

I'm telling you - he is a gangly 19 year old kid who doesn't look to have full control over his body. Yes of course he needs time.

In Montreal, they all do.

 

[Habs Halifax]

As has been noted here countless times, he needs to improve his skating but especially his balance. It's absolutely unbelievable how many times he falls and gets up. I'd guess 20-30 times a game. It would be interesting to count. Once he gets stronger, it'll help a lot. He's got a good example in winning board battles by watching his linemate Armia.

Agreed. I like Kotkaniemi a lot but we won't know how good he is until he fills into that frame. Once get becomes stronger, I think his edge work and puck protection changes from a weakness to a strength.

He has to be committed to busting his ass off to improve his strength. Suzuki did this in the off season and has a way to go yet. Poehling is already there... the kid is strong!

 

[Habs Halifax]

I'm telling you - he is a gangly 19 year old kid who doesn't look to have full control over his body on the ice. Yes of course he needs time. You will have to be patient. He is not being ruined.

I agree we are not ruining him. I think we need to forget about Galchenyuk

 

[DangerDave]

Is it a skating issue, or a conditioning issue?

Bad conditioning/cardio will make you weak on your skates. Muscles fatigue will make him lose his balance quite easily in the middle of a shift.

Remember, he bulked this summer, a lot. Perhaps he bulked too fast? I have no idea.

Probably a combination of both. I'd love to see him use a shorter stick too because he's far too upright. A guy that size shouldn't be so easy to seat away.

 

[TannedBum]

He reminds me a lot of Scheifele few years back. Bambi. Unfortunately there's no shortcuts to gain full control over body. We will have to wait complete breakthrough at least two years.

 

[angusyoung]

To me, face-offs are more luck than skill. Work on getting the puck back instead.

Does hand eye coordination come down to skill or luck? Strategy and strength are involved as well

 

[LaP]

About the importance of face-offs. Game in LA last night:

Face off %: Buffalo 37%, LA 63%

Shots: Buff 24 LA 47

Not even close, so who won? Sabres 3-0 Just sayin'

LA is bad. It's simple to look good on paper. Use the patented "shot da puk to da net" Michel Therrien's system. Shot every time you can. From center ice. From blue line. From the stand. With a hot dog in the hands. Doesn't matter. SHOT DA PUK TO DA NET!!!!! and you'll dominate the corsi. You wont win many games though (unless you have prime Price) and that's the problem with this strategy and that's why it's not used by pretty much anybody with a brain.

ANybody got that MT video where he tells his player to shot from about anywhere on the ice. Can't find it anymore

 

[TheGoalJudge]

He reminds me a lot of Scheifele few years back. Bambi. Unfortunately there's no shortcuts to gain full control over body. We will have to wait complete breakthrough at least two years.

That's basically what I see. It doesn't matter where he's playing, he won't develop until he physically matures. It's just a waiting game, there's no way to accelerate it.

 

[angusyoung]

first rounders Kakko and Hugues are playing 15+ minutes a night, even Heinola (D) plays 19 minutes a night...

Playing on teams that publicly say they are rebuilding is different than trying to make the PO's. As for Heinola being a D on a team decimated by injuries and lost the core......

 

[ECWHSWI]

Playing on teams that publicly say they are rebuilding is different than trying to make the PO's. As for Heinola being a D on a team decimated by injuries and lost the core......

didnt this GM said publicly Habs were resetting ??

is resetting 3 years or so after a transition year SOOOOOO different than rebuilding ???

and didnt this team Owner publicly said this team will be good/contending/whatever in... => 3 YEARS ???


Habs are playing Thompson 15+ minutes a night you know...

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

Hopefully he can turn the corner - I'm not sure it will be this year though.

 

[ECWHSWI]

Hopefully he can turn the corner - I'm not sure it will be this year though.

or with this coach.

 

[angusyoung]

didnt this GM said publicly Habs were resetting ??

is resetting 3 years or so after a transition year SOOOOOO different than rebuilding ???

and didnt this team Owner publicly said this team will be good/contending/whatever in... => 3 YEARS ???


Habs are playing Thompson 15+ minutes a night you know...

Yes he said re-set,not rebuild,semantics and open to individuals interpretation.
All teams hone,tweak etc,call it what you want,every season.

Thompson has had 1 game over 15 and is averaging under 14 and a good portion of that is on the PK.

 

[CHwest]

I'm telling you - he is a gangly 19 year old kid who doesn't look to have full control over his body on the ice. Yes of course he needs time. You will have to be patient. He is not being ruined.

He should be in the minors.

 

[Vern]

Seriously guys we're talking about 3-4 shifts a night here where the vet is getting the tougher assignment.. you honestly think it's hurting his development?

 

[angusyoung]

Seriously guys we're talking about 3-4 shifts a night here where the vet is getting the tougher assignment.. you honestly think it's hurting his development?

I'm sure you'll be enlightened by some soon enough. lol

 

[Frank Drebin]

He should be in the minors.

Possibly. Or tougher opponents will accelerate his development.

 

[ottawa]

I'm telling you - he is a gangly 19 year old kid who doesn't look to have full control over his body on the ice. Yes of course he needs time. You will have to be patient. He is not being ruined.

He's not being ruined but he's certainly not being helped either.

No sophomore should get LESS icetime than in his rookie year.

 

[Frank Drebin]

He's not being ruined but he's certainly not being helped either.

No sophomore should get LESS icetime than in his rookie year.

I agree. He shouldn't be going backwards, and last night was encouraging. The reactions on this board were very strong considering we were less than 10% into the season.